VW Main Dealer full service to zero oil in 47 miles.

[pjduffill]

Picked up my pride and joy from its first major service today.

Service done yesterday, left overnight and picked up today.

Covered 37 miles and the “Low oil Pressure” warning on dash.

Stopped, light went out nothing in the wallet, started up and “ Have a safe trip”

9 Miles later later “Low Oil Pressure” on dash, stopped light went out.

1 mile later “Low Oil Pressure” now stopped no further travelling called VW Roadside assitance.

Initial thought (not mechanically minded) sensor ressetting itself after service?

Took a look under underneath, pooled oil, dripping from engine bay.

Took out dipstick “Dry”

Roadside assistance (AA) was excellent, he could have just diagnosed on a look.

He took off the engine pan and found that the oil filter had not been tightened up?

Removed drain plug - dripped out remaining 200ml of the required 7,000ml

The technicians advice was not to drive and return on low loader to VW

On a low loader this evening and back to service centre at VW (dealer remains anonymous at the minute)

Pic of drive - Reversed on to drive stopped after first 21 miles, started to do rest of journey- evidently under great deal of pressure as oil sprayed length of van? (Unfortunately did not see this until got recovered back home)

Q: How does this play out with VW, what would you be expecting after 7 litres of oil pumping out of oil filter under pressure for 47 miles resulting in a dry engine?

 

[Corradobrit]

Terrible situation. I would be concerned that certain parts of the engine were starved of oil, even though you stopped as soon as the oil low warning appeared. Chances are everything is OK....but. Maybe have a 3rd party inspect the engine and check areas that might have suffered from lack of oil eg crankshaft, piston bores. At the very least have this recorded on the vehicle records and see if VW will extend the engine warranty in case damage was done that manifests later on.
A good reminder to check the work of the grease monkeys before leaving the lot.
Good luck working this out with the dealer.

 

[pjduffill]

Thank you Corradobrit:
Sound advice, my thoughts on the extended warranty bit would be this

…as a buyer, if the seller told me the engine had an extended warranty and the reason for it i would probably swerve the purchase. As a seller, i would be morrally impelled to make the buyer aware.

 

[Defender90]

Picked up my pride and joy from its first major service today.

Service done yesterday, left overnight and picked up today.

Covered 37 miles and the “Low oil Pressure” warning on dash.

Stopped, light went out nothing in the wallet, started up and “ Have a safe trip”

9 Miles later later “Low Oil Pressure” on dash, stopped light went out.

1 mile later “Low Oil Pressure” now stopped no further travelling called VW Roadside assitance.

Initial thought (not mechanically minded) sensor ressetting itself after service?

Took a look under underneath, pooled oil, dripping from engine bay.

Took out dipstick “Dry”

Roadside assistance (AA) was excellent, he could have just diagnosed on a look.

He took off the engine pan and found that the oil filter had not been tightened up?

Removed drain plug, zero oil!

The technicians advise was not to drive and return on low loader to VW

On a low loader this evening and back to service centre at VW (dealer remains anonymous at the minute)

Q: How does this play out with VW, what would you be expecting after 7 litres of oil pumping out of oil filter under pressure for 47 miles resulting in a dry engine?

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That is terrible I feel your pain fingers crossed you have stopped before any major damage
Good advice from corradobrit

 

[larrylamb]

Had this myself on a previous van although caught it quite quickly. Main dealer error again.

 

[The Tall Luthier]

The dealer will be insured against this kind of thing. Take it back and ask for all the reassurances and warranties that you need that the van is in as good condition tomorrow as it was before the service.

Including cleaning up the mess it caused.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

I once rented a car from a London airport and was driving up to Cheshire when I heard a knocking from the engine, though no warning light. It was just like a fan noise. A few miles later, noise getting worse and then an engine warning light pops on the dash. I pulled over on the hard shoulder and called the rental company who sent an RAC chap. Turned out it was a similar issue - they had had the car serviced and the oil had been emptied, but not replaced.

Fortunately the RAC chap called a low-loaded to take the car and he drove me to the nearest rental station to get a replacement and continue on my journey.

I'd hate to think of what potential damage it might have caused to a very expensive owned vehicle rather than a rental. Can only hope that yours has no lasting damage and the main dealer sack the idiot who serviced it.

 

[AdamsFamily]

I'd be getting my money back from the dealer on top of all the other advice offered.
If it was under a plan, then I'd ask for an extra one to be added. Honestly, that is beyond sub standard - its sheer neglect of your job.

 

[andyinluton]

Picked up my pride and joy from its first major service today.

Service done yesterday, left overnight and picked up today.

Covered 37 miles and the “Low oil Pressure” warning on dash.

Stopped, light went out nothing in the wallet, started up and “ Have a safe trip”

9 Miles later later “Low Oil Pressure” on dash, stopped light went out.

1 mile later “Low Oil Pressure” now stopped no further travelling called VW Roadside assitance.

I had exactly the same on my first van. Still got the oils stain on the drive. I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as you are within warranty.

If it's knackered it will be evident within a few hundred miles. Easy to say if it's not your van!

Thats assuming your line "1 mile later “Low Oil Pressure” now stopped no further travelling" means you stopped the engine not the engine stopped of its own accord. If the latter you need a new engine.

 

[JAG7001]

Unfortunately mistakes happen at main dealers, had a brand new Ducato converted and was at first for first service, I asked if I could wait on it and they said yes no problem, after 2 hours I went and asked for an update, the sales guy took it upon himself to go get it whilst mechanics must e been on lunch, he assumed it was finished , I dunno, drive around the front and the rear wheel came off, I sing you not ,

 

[pjduffill]

I had exactly the same on my first van. Still got the oils stain on the drive. I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as you are within warranty.

If it's knackered it will be evident within a few hundred miles. Easy to say if it's not your van!

Thats assuming your line "1 mile later “Low Oil Pressure” now stopped no further travelling" means you stopped the engine not the engine stopped of its own accord. If the latter you need a new engine.

I stopped, the engine felt fine

My line in the sand to dealer….

What damage should i be expecting after the what was remaining of 7 litres of oil leaked out of the oil filter under pressure for 47 miles resulting in a dry engine?

Dropped back home at 17:20 after recovery to discover oil pooled on drive and sprayed the length of the van over the drive when i had returned home before carrying on with my journey earlier this morning (I reverse on to drive)

Evidently the oil was leaking pre and post XX miles from pick up ( VW XXXX to home address)

The van was handed in to the care of VW XXXX in perfect working order and triple A condition.

Unfortunately, the same can no longer be said with regards my van.

As a consequence of the above I feel it is reasonable for me to require at the very least:

Full and appropriate resolution.

A third party independent engineers report with regards any potential damage / engine longevity issues before taking the van back.

Damage mitigation with regards the drive to my property.

Delivery of a courtesy vehicle of the same type and quality of my own until my vehicle is returned in “As Good if not better” condition.

Reimbursement / Credit for the service carried out.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Utter clowns. I'd make sure you log the issue with VW Executive office and ask them to force the dealer into extending the warranty.

I'd certainly take any dealer promises with a pinch of salt unless backed by VW.

 

[dspuk]

Not sure why you need a line in the sand to the dealer. You took it in for a service, they messed up, and now need to fix it. A main dealer is fully insured for this and you get a full warranty for all work, one of the key reasons I always use main dealers. It's their responsibility to come low load it from where ever it is now and fully fix it, as well as making it right to you. Any further issues you may or may not get from this screw up are also covered by the main dealer warranty.

 

[pjduffill]

Not sure why you need a line in the sand to the dealer. You took it in for a service, they messed up, and now need to fix it. A main dealer is fully insured for this and you get a full warranty for all work, one of the key reasons I always use main dealers. It's their responsibility to come low load it from where ever it is now and fully fix it, as well as making it right to you. Any further issues you may or may not get from this screw up are also covered by the main dealer warranty.

Hello dspuk, thanks for the reply.

I’m with you on using main dealer, for the same reasons.

My warranty (Four years) ran out on December 28th (2024) luckily purchased Two year warranty with VW assist attached to it on 29th Dec.

I was 47 miles away from the dealership on Friday Afternoon. I doubt i would have got much help if the VW assist had not kicked back in.

I had a run in with VW Assist last year where they had no record of my membership.

 

[WelshGas]

The point of the sensors/electronic monitoring of the Oil Level/Pressure is to protect the engine from damage. If you stopped the engine as soon as the lights came on then the likelihood of any damage is minimal.
Any work carried out by a VW Dealership has a 2 yr warranty on parts and labour.

 

[lohr500]

Shocking.

Hopefully no damage done, but I would be concerned that even a short period of time with low oil pressure may have caused some premature wear to fast moving components.

I would definitely escalate with VW EXec Office and seek the written assurances that you have drafted.

If possible, I would also try to get a sample of any oil that remains dripping out of the filter housing. It can be sent off to someone like Millers for analysis which will show any metal content and type. From their website it looks like you need at least 90ml.

It's why I prefer to do my own servicing once a vehicle is out of any manufacturer or extended warranty. At least I know everything is done that should be done and that it is done right.

 

[pjduffill]

Shocking.

Hopefully no damage done, but I would be concerned that even a short period of time with low oil pressure may have caused some premature wear to fast moving components.

I would definitely escalate with VW EXec Office and seek the written assurances that you have drafted.

If possible, I would also try to get a sample of any oil that remains dripping out of the filter housing. It can be sent off to someone like Millers for analysis which will show any metal content and type. From their website it looks like you need at least 90ml.

It's why I prefer to do my own servicing once a vehicle is out of any manufacturer or extended warranty. At least I know everything is done that should be done and that it is done right.

 

[pjduffill]

Thank you lohr500,

Unfortunately, i did consider the oil test, after the fact. The van got low loaded and will be with the dealership this morning.

The van had not ceazed, it felt quite normal, i’m thinking the dealership will refill and get me on my way.

I will enquire as to how many miles after fresh oil will a test be recommended.

 

[Corradobrit]

If possible, I would also try to get a sample of any oil that remains dripping out of the filter housing. It can be sent off to someone like Millers for analysis which will show any metal content and type. From their website it looks like you need at least 90ml.

This is an excellent idea, although probably too late now if the vehicles is already at the dealership. For the cost of an oil analysis it's a no-brainer. It's something I've done in the past when buying or selling (if asked) as a matter of routine for higher mileage vehicles.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

We had the same with a Toyota Mr2 that we had owned since new. Technician forgot to put the oil cap on. Wife drove 20 miles and got flashed by a van driver who made my wife pull over, who told her that that rear was smoking (engine was in the rear).

Dealer collected on a low loader, delivered a hire car to our house, checked the car over, refilled oil, steam cleaned engine, full valet and apologised. Owned for another 20k miles without any issues, then sold it.

Unlikely that you will get the service cost refunded, as you would have had to have paid that anyway, but they should reimburse you any additional cost incurred by you.